Wheat Berry Pudding With Walnuts - Koljivo

The wheat symbolizes resurrection and eternal life. Thus, the wheatberry pudding is consumed among Orthodox Christians at funerals when holding memorials to honor those who've passed away and for Slava.

The Slava is an annual family event in which they pay tribute to their patron saint.

In addition to having a spiritual value for the family and guests of the celebration, the glorious wheat should be delicious to satisfy and obtain material and spiritual blessings.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions. However, there's some important stuff to know before you scroll down.

What are Wheat Berries?

Wheat berries are a high-fiber whole grain containing bran and germ. They take longer to cook because they're not refined like flour or cereal grains such as rice stripped of their outer layer.

Health Benefits

Wheat berries are a delicious and healthy way to get more protein, fiber, iron, and vitamin E. They're also rich in magnesium which can help you maintain strong bones and muscles!

Enjoy your serving size by the tablespoonful inside small serving dishes like custard cups, ice cream bowls, mason jars, or glasses. Don't forget some whipped cream too!

How To Serve It

Here are some ways to enjoy prepared wheat berries:

• Breakfast: Mix warm wheat grains with honey, brown sugar, dried fruits, and nuts, and spoon over with vanilla yogurt or some milk.
• Side dish: A delicious side dish dressed with olive oil, salt, and pepper and infused with garlic, dried sage, and thyme.
• Soup: Cook into a hearty chicken soup instead of barley.
• Main dish: Simply replace the rice in your recipes with the cooked wheat berries.
• Salad: Top leafy salad with cold or warm berries and add fresh herbs and vegetables. Sub the quinoa with wheat berries in this Grek salad.

Meal Prep Tip:

The easy way to get a healthy and tasty meal on the table in minutes is with whole grains. You can prep them ahead, add them as toppings for salads and bowls.

Cook them in other foods like soups, or serve them at breakfast time! They're delicious with some milk, honey, and cinnamon.